How to Teach a Child to Use Crutches

After breaking a leg or experiencing another medical condition, your child might be required to use crutches for a time. Convincing the child to use crutches and teaching him or her the proper technique for using them is necessary to prevent further injury. Making the act of learning how to use crutches more like a game can help overcome the child's reluctance to pay attention for prolonged periods of time.

Things You'll Need

• Child and adult crutches

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Instructions

• 1

  Demonstrate how to position the crutches under your arms (around one to one and a half inches below the armpit) to the child and help him until he is in the right position.

• 2

  Show him how to lean forward while keeping his weight off the injured foot. Move yourself across the room and encourage him to follow.

• 3

  Play games with the child while he learns to master the crutches, such as seeing who can move across the room in the fewest steps or who can get from point A to point B the fastest using the crutches. Never make the games too competitive and always allow the child to win to reinforce positive associations with the crutches.

• 4

  Continue to "play" until the child has a good understanding of the proper technique for using crutches and is comfortable using them.